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The Lasting Effects of the COVID‐19 Pandemic on Support for Anti‐Democratic Political Systems: A Six‐Month Longitudinal Study

Author

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  • Michele Roccato
  • Silvia Russo
  • Pasquale Colloca
  • Nicoletta Cavazza

Abstract

Objectives We aimed to analyze the enduring effects exerted by COVID‐19 exposure and subjective economic threats on support for anti‐democratic political systems. Method We performed a two‐wave longitudinal study on a quota panel of the Italian adult population (N = 1,073), surveyed first in April 2020, during the first peak of the pandemic (T1) and the first lockdown, and second in October 2020, at the onset of the second peak of the pandemic and of the second lockdown (T2). Results A mediation model showed that COVID‐19 exposure and subjective economic threats, measured at T1, fostered a negative evaluation of how the government managed the pandemic, which, in turn, had a positive association with support for anti‐democratic political systems, both measured at T2. Conclusion The existential threats related to the COVID‐19 pandemic have enduring political consequences, undermining people's support for democracy, even six months after their onset.

Suggested Citation

  • Michele Roccato & Silvia Russo & Pasquale Colloca & Nicoletta Cavazza, 2021. "The Lasting Effects of the COVID‐19 Pandemic on Support for Anti‐Democratic Political Systems: A Six‐Month Longitudinal Study," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(5), pages 2285-2295, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:102:y:2021:i:5:p:2285-2295
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.12958
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniel L. Chen, 2010. "Club Goods and Group Identity: Evidence from Islamic Resurgence during the Indonesian Financial Crisis," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 118(2), pages 300-354, April.
    2. Michele Roccato & Nicoletta Cavazza & Pasquale Colloca & Silvia Russo, 2020. "A Democratic Emergency After a Health Emergency? Exposure to COVID‐19, Perceived Economic Threat and Support for Anti‐Democratic Political Systems," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 101(6), pages 2193-2202, October.
    3. Oscar Zapata, 2018. "Turning to God in Tough Times? Human Versus Material Losses from Climate Disasters in Canada," Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Springer, vol. 2(3), pages 259-281, October.
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    1. Block, Ray & Burnham, Michael & Kahn, Kayla & Peng, Rachel & Seeman, Jeremy & Seto, Christopher, 2022. "Perceived risk, political polarization, and the willingness to follow COVID-19 mitigation guidelines," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    2. Rajeev K. Goel & Michael A. Nelson, 2021. "Drivers of COVID-19 vaccinations: vaccine delivery and delivery efficiency in the United States," Netnomics, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 53-69, June.
    3. Moshe Yanovskiy & Yehoshua Socol, 2022. "Are Lockdowns Effective in Managing Pandemics?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-12, July.

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